SECRETS

Chapter Twenty-six

Jeremy

It's been a week since the secrets were revealed to everyone. It's been a week since we lost David Theo. It's been a week since she's been in the hospital. Every day I visit her, I find her in a better condition. I'm glad that she's okay. I feared she wouldn't be after watching her father die.
In this past weeks, our families have been trying to mend their broken pieces. Things aren't quite alright, The pain still eats everyone deep, the pain of betrayal, the pain of being made to believe lies for years. Things aren't quite alright now but with time I think it will be. Just like I've learnt to forgive my father with time. It's really hard and everyone's hurting but I think we'll be okay. We have to be.

I pause at the door of her ward, a bouquet of flowers in my hands. I am nervous. Today is the day she returns home. I've chosen to do that task - bring her back home. Although I have seen her everyday since the day she arrived here, we haven't really spoken. Sometimes I fear that she won't understand why I did what I did, sometimes I fear that things won't be the same anymore between the both of us. In the midst of my fears, I am still hoping, I am still hoping that she'll understand, that she will look at me without any atom of distaste. My heart could never be okay if she hates me. I love her, I love her so much and she has to know.

"Hey Jerry, " she says, as I close the door behind me.

Her face is lit up with a smile, her hair is slightly a mess, her eyes sparkle, her dress is twice her size, the scars from the whips are still visible on her body.

"What? " she asks, revealing a bigger smile.

I was too mesmerized by the beauty that displays even in her absolute simplicity that I forgot how to speak.

"I'm here to take you home, there's a welcome party being prepared for you today, " I say.

"Finally, I can't wait to get out of here. "

She's smiling again, if only she knows the effect of her smile on me.

I move close to her but not too close because In a way, I'm scared she will move away from me.

"Christy, are you mad at me? "

"Jerry," she closes the space between us and holds my hands.

"I'm not mad at you or my mum or anyone anymore. You guys made a mistake that I did too. Remember what happened with Shan and Mevin ? It was all my fault. I didn't tell Shan the truth about Mevin's feelings because I was trying to protect her. What you guys did really hurt but I do understand why. I just hope such a thing won't be repeated again. "

I let out the breath I've been holding in.

"I feared that you wouldn't understand. Tell me Christy, are you okay? "

"No, No Jerry but I'll be fine. "

I pull her into an embrace and we remain like that for a while. I wonder if she can feel my heart beating fast against her head.

"I'll be always here for you, you know that right? "

She nods.

"Jeremy can I ask for a favour? "

"What's it Christy? "

She pulls away and gazes into my eyes,

"No more secrets, " she says.

I smile, "I guess that means I'll have to tell you the last secret I've been keeping from you."

"What's that? "

The curiosity displayed in her eyes fills me with warmth. It has become one of my favorite things, to watch her being curious.

"I'll tell you, for now come home and get dressed. Everyone's waiting for you."